Tag: põhjamaa

The term Nordic is sometimes defined as “the social-democratic countries in the north with a high standard of living”. We see nordic-ness as something cultural, rather than purely polito-economical. Shared history, similar traditions, familiar behaviours, etc. In short, Estonia is a little country way up in the north where people are mostly blonde with blue eyes, love cross country skiing, don’t say much, go to sauna, drink mulled wines at the Yule time, make bonfires on summer solstice and they used to viking in ancient times.

What does the country feel like when you’re visiting? How do the people sound like if you don’t know their language? How do they interact and how do they behave? This is what plays into how one categorises a country and its people.
In this light we feel that the terms post-Soviet and Eastern-European do not accurately describe Estonia. Eastern-Europe is still often equated to “Russian-sounding language” and slavic culture, which is technically incorrect for Estonians who are Finnic and speak a Finnic language. Post-Soviet is a term that is as loaded as calling France or Norway a post-Nazi country due to also being occupied at one point in history.

“What’s wrong with Baltic? Why Estonia wants to be Nordic? Why aren’t you happy being Baltic?”

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being considered Baltic. Estonia is a Baltic country, but Estonians are not Balts. Estonians are Finnic peoples, like Finns. Only Latvians and Lithuanians are Balts aka “Baltic peoples”. This can create some confusion because all three are considered “Baltic countries” whereas only two are actually Balts. Perhaps it would make more sense to leave the term Baltic to the actual Balt countries or maybe Estonia could be considered both, a Baltic and Nordic country.

While the term “Eastern-Europe” has many negative connotations, this website is not about what kind of brand is good or bad. Equally it is not about what Estonians want. If you stopped one on a street and asked if he felt Nordic he probably couldn’t care less. It is about what is factually correct and what simplymakes sense. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being Baltic — but does categorising Estonia as Baltic or Eastern-European make sense? Lets take a look:

Folk festivals and organizations that are “Nordic” in nature will promote Finnish culture, but not Estonian culture, even though they are heavily related.

The American-Scandinavian Foundation will support scholars that want to study in Turku, but not in Tartu.

Finnish language is often lumped in with “Scandinavian studies” in universities, while Estonian is found in the Eastern-European.

Despite its Nordic themes and similarities, Estonian poetry will not be included in books of “Nordic poetry”.

And Estonian folk music, though it is obviously closely related to Karelian, Sami, and Finnish folk music, won’t be included on Nordic music compilations among its relatives.

Estonian contemporary art and design, though visually identical to the Nordic in its simplicity, minimalism and functionality, is more often found next to Balkan than Scandinavian.